So I am thinking...

...that the key to a successful (read: employable) new year is to come up with a quirky year-long online project that I can eventually turn into be a bestselling memoir about my experience. I mean how hard can it be? Snarky, bored and dissatisfied urban woman does X for 365 days, writes about it and ends atop the New York Times Bestseller List.

Screw pitching a freelance piece for the Atlantic. Forget writing a compelling biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Never mind begging my freelance employer to send me to Damascus...

I need ideas. Right now, I'm inspired to develop something around this theme.

Update: Hell.

Brayden: The cure for what(ever) ails you.

Spending 24/7 with my nephew has been pure bliss and a great daily workout (TL: He tells me "you can do it" while I'm shredding in the morning!). As I type this he is running around the basement with a toy hockey stick and puck, yelling "Let's go Jackets!" (uh the Columbus Blue Jackets for those -- like me -- who would have no reason to know what in the world that means). An hour ago we were bopping around to music when he informed me that we were "dancing with the stars."

The best part yet? Waking up every morning to a two-year-old sitting on my stomach smiling down at me, asking: "are you staying today Jen?"

In a few days I have to return to reality but for now someone needs me to be a goalie...

Here's one way to hold myself accountable...

...make a list of personal goals public.

In my very limited exposure to blogging, I've found it's much easier (read: less nerve-wracking) to post cute Brayden comments rather than thoughtful reflections.

I (try to) make my living as a writer but I'm still not used to sharing too many personal details -- even if, realistically, the only people visiting this site are close friends and family members. I instinctively shy away from allowing myself to become "the story," and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with having a personal (ha) online journal.

That said, I want to keep experimenting a bit. The past year involved many attempts to rediscover a sense of self. I made progress, but I'm not there yet. I hope this helps.

Twenty-nine goals for 2009 (and the 12 months leading up to my 29th year): *

1. Show the people I love how much they mean to me

2. Craft a new budget to accommodate student loan payments (*heart* grad school)

3. Have friends over for dinner!

4. Run Army 10M in October

5. Take a weekend trip with mom and Amanda & get Shawn to come and stay here for a few days

6. Sign up for a class (fiction writing/foreign language/photography, etc.)

7. Go hiking at Great Falls

8. Send a check to mom and shawn (*heart* unemployment)

9. Have a great (*fun*) date(s!)

10. Bring Zoey home

11. Look into finding a dog (LATE 2009)

12. Look into a new computer and camera (summer 2009)

13. Start a savings plan for overseas trip with Karen (2010?)

14. Stick with workout routine

15. Write a freelance magazine story (and pitch it!)

16. Play catch on the mall (reclaim something you love)

*I'll try to add the rest before the new year...

Note: "Finding a job" did not make the list. Why? Optimism.

Cute nephew edition #2

Me: I had spagetti for dinner also.

Brayden: Did you have orange pop too?

Have I mentioned...

My obsession with the homes designed by, well, rich people in Bali?! Apparently, the NYTimes got the memo.





Gorgeous.





Inspiring.





Unbelieavably romantic.


Job. Love. Rendezvous in paradise. I'm kinda open to whatever order the fates decide to go with here...

Cute nephew edition #1

Mom/"grandma": We kept telling Brayden that men were coming to put in carpeting downstairs and he would get so upset. When they came this morning, he threw a fit for 45 minutes. He really hates change.

Me: Clearly, he's my nephew.

Mom: When they left, I tried to show him how much fun carpeting could be so we rolled around and played on it. Now he loves it.

[A few minutes later (during a slow moment in the Lion King)]

Mom: Brayden, do you want to talk to Aunt Jen? Do you want to tell her about the new carpeting in the basement?

Brayden: Hi! We got new carpeting!

Me: You did?

Brayden: Yes! Grandma, can I show Jen the carpeting?

Mom: She can't see the carpet through the phone.

Brayden: Yes she can.

Me: Sure I can.

Mom: She can see the carpet when she comes to visit next time.

Brayden: You can come tomorrow.

Mom: Not tomorrow. But soon. She'll come soon.

Me: [but i want to hang out with him now!!!]

Collect all nine...

She stands alone (for now)...



Thanks Alka! :-)